Animal Teef. Photo Courtesy/ Stephanie Swanson, Paper Moon Photography
Kicking Down Doors: Animal Teef
By Karin Eagle
Native Sun News Staff writer PINE RIDGE - The music industry in South Dakota is known for not only diversity, but also for the tendency to be divisive. There are many factions within the industry that create not only potholes for new artists, but also the occasional black hole for more established artists. Navigating through the trenches often causes musicians of all genres to question, from time to time, their purpose, their goals, and even their chance at reaching the brass ring. It is often said that timing is crucial with trends coming and going as they do, but more than that, it is often said it is who you know that helps who knows you. South Dakota is the home to a large population of Native Americans who make up a huge portion of the state’s hip hop and rap audience as well as a good percentage of the artists who are making attempts to break into the industry. These attempts range from a passing interest, often in homemade studios with little to no professional studio equipment, to the occasional successful runs with established studios with the chops to actual propel an artist forward. Many artists fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. One such artist seems to have each and every single available obstacle placed in front of him. Animal Teef of Pine Ridge has decided that it’s time to kick each obstacle down and ram every door closed to those who are assumed to be not white enough nor Native enough to “fit in.” In a very unapologetic voice, Animal Teef speaks truthfully about what has led up to his current discontent with the hip hop scene in South Dakota, specifically surrounding the Native communities. “I think it's that I ignore or embrace any kind of convention in hip-hop so completely, and at my own discretion,” explains Teef. “I'm not supposed to be smart, but I am. I'm supposed to dress like a bum, but I don't. People are used to someone massaging their egos and pandering to expectations, well they don’t pay me enough for that.” “I played guitar in a band with my brother, but had always secretly rapped to myself. We had a show at Raziels in Vermillion where I tried spitting some raps I wrote, almost as a joke. It was during when we had time to fill and the people cheered so much louder for me than they ever did for the guitar. I quit the band, dropped out of college not long after, and have never looked back,” he said. In talking about his perception of himself as a rapper, Teef takes a very tongue in cheek attitude. “Never, ever, ever did I think I would be taken seriously or allowed to be a rapper,” said Teef. “As it turns out, people take me way too seriously.” The explanation for that statement is as startling as some of Teef’s lyrics. “I want people to know that, even if they're unaware of it, hip-hop is definitely a culture, a global one in fact, and rap music isn't the beginning or end of it. In fact, I'd say for it to be a genuine expression of one's self it has to go beyond participating in the expected activities like graffiti, break dancing, MC'ing, DJ'ing, and evolve into little more than a channel for conveying what's already there, inside a person.” Speaking about channeling what is already inside an artist the topic of being truthful about the who, why’s and how’s of the rap movement has to be addressed. Teef’s convictions on being truthful, almost brutally so, could lead to a more involved understanding about rap and hip hop, if the audience and critics are willing to listen. “Honesty doesn't leave a lot of room for convention. I don't think it's a truth serum so much as a means of being honest that speaks to the soul of anyone from a difficult background when it's done properly. This is poor people music and culture, there's no other reason for the innovation which takes place to create it. There are exceptions to the rule; emcees can come from nice homes and families yet be incredible rappers. However, at its heart, this is ghetto CNN and Discovery Channel,” he said. A lot of Animal Teef tracks can be found on Reverbnation.com, downloadable and free. Teef has basically been giving his craft away for free, paying his dues by producing what some have described as a refreshing tribute to some old school hip hop, and simply giving it away. “Who else is giving you five albums for free and asking you to pay three dollars to get into a show if he HAS to?” “I have two solo albums to be released, one in early fall and the other a winter release. There is also a collaborative effort with my friend Protige out of Sioux City and I’m very excited about all three.” “I took a break from doing so many shows this year to get the studio stuff finished. Next year is when I'll slap everyone in the face with what I did this year,” Teef said. “I have tracks I think are better but I’d have to say my favorite is "Everything but Imagination” which is more or less the 3 minute version of my mission statement.” Within every genre of music there is the propensity for artists to fall into one of two camps: Those seeking commercial fame and those who create what they consider their art for the expression alone and often these camps and their followers and fans come to misunderstandings about which avenue is the true and real representation of the genre. “It all depends on whether one's definition of success exists within one’s own lifetime,” explains Teef. “There are plenty of people who trick their listeners into paying for empty, vacuous bullshit and as such will be rewarded with absence from everyone's long-term memory. Other people aim for impact that lasts beyond themselves. Maybe nobody's right, but at least I'm not a liar.” In describing an artist in the rap industry who, in Teef’s opinion, best represents a true success story, he reaches back a little bit and comes out with one of rap’s godfathers of rap. “Mos Def. He's not broke, but that's mostly due to movie money and things of that nature. What I’m saying is that I respect that man. And as far as the culture of hip-hop, he kept it real. At least that part of his life wasn't his stupid hustle and didn't wind up dumbing down an entire generation. The rapper Common largely falls into the same category. So, I mean, my thought is, make your money and all that, but realize some things are worth more than money. Those guys do both,” he said. So, what does Animal Teef feel will be the catalyst to bring about a more open, a more diverse, and a more progressive movement within the hip hop and rap industry currently existing in South Dakota? “People need to be shaken out of this bullshit state right now. It is pointless right now. Will this do it? Only in a microscopic way, but it is a start. Whether I am right or wrong in how I feel; if I'm out of line at any point it still provides the means to make people ask the right questions.” “It is why I do my job. I know I can’t change minds, and I shouldn't. But I should get people to ask questions and start to figure it out themselves,” he said. With strong statements that Teef absolutely stands behind without fear the question begs to be answered: Are you worried about any fall-out from people in your circle, or in the industry, locally? “If I were worried about any of the repercussions of those people being mad, it'd be a different story but everybody I wouldn't go rounds on wax with already respects me. People are going to form their opinion regardless, at least we can say, in all honesty, "Hey, we gave you some shit to think about it, and if you did or didn’t use it, that’s your gain or loss" “Beef is part of the culture. In fact, it began partly as a non-violent means of settling beef. However, these days I don't think that comparing artistic skill is the paradigm. The battle that's being fought is between art and commerce. I don't care much for those who think this is a hustle to fatten their pockets rather than an art form. I could care less for their feelings. Don't like it? Rap better than me, that's all I ask.” When asked if there was a clear cut message that Animal Teef has to give his listeners, his followers, his fans, his critics, he responded with a less than pat answer. "The only person who can ever decide you're not good enough is you. You owe nothing to anyone on MTV, and they don't care about you. Become better, be better, and they can't touch you. Don't let fear turn you into a cog in a terrible machine. Be your own motor. Support genuine artists while you're at it. They'll enrich your life in ways that 2 Chainz never could." Addressing the race issue, being a Lakota and a white guy all wrapped up into one, Animal Teef, who also uses the name Pink Trash (as opposed to white trash) remains absolute and secure in who he is, which is, after all is said and done, the most telling, unspoken statement about him as a human and an artist. In a parting shot, to all involved, the ever eloquent Animal Teef has this to say, “I got jack shit to lose.” (Contact Karin Eagle at staffwriter@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission by Native Sun News
Join the Conversation